Because the Yucatan Peninsula was surrounded on 3 sides by water and by an impenetrable forest on the fourth southern side, the Yucatan was influenced more by the Caribbean islands and Europe than by Mexico. As a result, Yucateca food is distinct and separate from what is commonly called Mexican food.

Be adventurous! Don't be afraid to try some of these unique, delicious region foods!

Frijole con Puerco - A delicious local dish normally served on Mondays consisting of soupy black beans cooked with chunks of pork. It's served with chopped radish, avacado, onion and cilantro as garnish and steamed rice.

Horchata - a cold soft drink made of rice or barley, almonds, sugar, vanilla and water

Queso "Gallo" - a Holland cheese (we call it Gouda) that has been imported to the Yucatan for so many years that it is now considered indigenous to the area.

Queso Relleno - seasoned, ground pork/beef formed into a round "loaf", completely surrounded in softened Queso Gallo and then wrapped in cheesecloth for cooking. Served in round slices covered in cream sauce.

Tamales - chicken wrapped in a heavy dough and cooked in banana leaves

Insider's Secret Preparations!

Ixnepech (Dog Snout) Salsa
A Mayan salsa (schnee-peck) that supposedly gets its name because it's so hot that it can make your nose run.
It is best prepared fresh daily and appears daily on most Yucatecan dining tables to accompany all meals.

Agua Fresca
If you have traveled through Mexico, you have probably seen these refreshing fruit drinks sold on street corners. We've used melon in this recipe, but almost any fruit can be used. Just be sure to adjust for the amount of sugar, which will depend on the sweetness of the fruit.

Throughout the Yucatan chicken, pork and fish will often be prepared "pibil" style which means the meat has been flavored with a red seasoning paste or recado rojo. Recado rojo consists of several local spices including red annatto seeds which adds the red color and a unique flavor. Recado Rojo is available commercially in most latino style markets and will be known as as achiote paste.

Cochinita Pibil

One of the most famous dishes from the Yucatan is Cochinita Pibil or Pork cooked pibil style. Traditionally this pre-Columbian dish called for wild boar to be covered with local seasoning and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in a stone-lined, coal-filled pit. This method of cooking would bake/steam the boar while at the same time infuse the meat with the flavor of the banana leaves and spices.

Cochinita Pibil remains one of the most popular dishes in the Yucatan despite the fact that it is generally not prepared in the traditional method. Ovens have replaced pits and domesticated pig introduced by the Spanish has replaced wild boar but the seasonings remain virutally the same and most households/restaurants still wrap the meat in banana leaves before cooking.

If you truly want to experience one of the region's best kept secret adventures, spend some time exploring the dazzling tastes that Cozumel's island foods have to offer. Food is a fundemental element of every culture. In all of Mexico and here on the island, much of the daily routine and tradition still revolves around the ritual of preparing and eating food. Since local food dishes are a mixture of influences and cultural combinations, island cuisine can be earthy or refined, mild or spicy, exciting or soothing, sometimes surprising but never disappointing.

In the Island Cuisine Cooking Classes, rev up your taste buds and get ready to embark on a delicious, tantalizing journey as many talented islanders, including chefs and former restaurateurs, are delighted to share their favorite Yucatecan/Mayan/Island dishes with those visiting the island. Classes are always fun and offer the opportunity to meet others who share a passion for cooking and eating various types of regional foods.

In this "Demonstration" class, you will watch the chef/instructor prepare all the dishes and enjoy "ample samples" as you follow the recipes and ask questions along the way to ensure that you don't miss a thing!
From $75/person

Our Family took both Island Cuisine Cooking Classes and we learned several basic salsas and entree items. We were able to add new Mexican dishes to our table at home. Sherri, offers wonderful cooking classes for couples, friends, and families that want to learn about Mexican Cuisine. We learned to make Mango Black Bean Salsa, which is a wonderful treat with chips, baked chicken or as a summer salad. We prepared fresh Pico de Gallo and Salsa Verde just like Mexican Restaurants. We, also discovered how to make a traditional Chicken Pibil. We enjoyed eating all of the wonderful food that was created in class. These authentic Mexican Dishes have been added to our Family Cookbook. Art, Pam & Andrea ~ Portland, Oregon

A quick note to say how much our entire family enjoyed the Island Cuisine "Parade of Salsas" cooking class! The recipes were demonstrated and explained well by the instructor and all of the helpful tips provided in the demonstrations have really come in handy now that we are back home and using your cook book. Everything we prepared was delicious and the best part was sharing the salsas afterward as we relaxed by the pool. The class was great and we can't wait to come back and try the Main Course class next time! Thanks again for a great experience for our family. L Byars ~ Dallas TX

Demonstration and Hands-On

For the Demonstration class or the Hands-On class one of these delicious traditional Mayan/Island dishes can be prepared or you may contact us with your special request:

Cochinita Pibil - A lean pork roast marinated in a tantalizing and surprising blend of Mayan spices which is then wrapped in banana leaves and slow cooked until succulently tender.

Pollo Pibil - Delicious fresh chicken smothered in the same tangy pibil style sauce used for pork then wrapped in banana leaves and oven roasted.

Tik'nxic - Fresh red snapper dusted with a dazzling array of Mayan spices and covered with sour orange juice then grilled to perfection.

Taquitos Dorados Con Pollo - Juicy, spiced cooked chicken and other ingredients rolled inside fresh tortillas, then deep fried until crispy and covered with a tangy red or green tomato sauce. This traditional plate is then garnished with thinly sliced lettuce, onion and radishes and topped with a final sprinkle of fresh cheese.

The Island Cuisine Cooking Tasting sessions offer students samples of a variety of items in a particular food category. Topics can include salsas and sauces, ceviches, and local sweetbreads or others upon request such as wines or local cheeses. Popular choices for Tasting sessions include these suggestions or you may contact us with your special request:

Parade of Salsas - With at least 60 different types of chiles grown throughout Mexico, salsas are a compliment to every meal in this region. Sample a variety of dazzling salsas of both green and red varieties prepared by different methods and served with fresh homemade tortilla chips.

Ceviche Mixtos - A crisp, fresh-tasting method for Mayans/Islanders of preparing various types of seafood. Sample a variety of seafood including shrimp, conch & octopus prepared in this fashion in order to differentiate tastes of the different seafoods when prepared in this fashion. Ceviches are served with fresh homemade tortilla chips and crackers.

Island Pastries - With over 25 privately owned bakeries on the island this is a "sweets" lover's delight! Sample freshly baked pastries prepared by traditional bakers of the island who use locally available fruits and sugars to highlight their convections. [recipes not available for this category]

All Island Cuisine Cooking Classes use the finest products available from local suppliers.

Private Chef and Catering Services

Relax in the comfort and intimacy of your vacation home while our talented and creative chef takes care of everything from food shopping to kitchen cleanup.

Whether it's an intimate dinner for two or a large group of friends and family, our talented local chef's combination of friendly service and cooking artistry come together to create a truly unforgettable dining experience.